White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu took the major leagues by storm in April, setting the all-time rookie record for most home runs (10) and RBI (31) in a season’s opening month. On Saturday in Cleveland, he showed a little creativity on defense when a fielded ball got stuck in his glove …

It’s an out an out because the ball still makes it to the base on time for a force out safe and secure, not dropping out in any transfer. It’s an out if a guy scrambles for the ball and secures it baredhanded in time for a force out so they could wrap it in a hat or against their body, as long as they have control of the ball in a hand and make a football move after…woh, sorry, got sidetracked… I’m sure there are way more eloquent commenters on here who can explain it better or even cite the rule…Mulholland’s play was the first I’d seen of it. Brandon Belt, I believe, had to do it a couple weeks back, too.

Correction: I don’t think it’s an out if the ball is wrapped in any part of a player’s uniform, including the cal. But the glove seems to be an exception in most baseball leagues, save for FED High School b-ball where it is considered a lodged ball and a dead ball and the runners get 2 free bases out of it.

mazblast - May 4, 2014 at 10:54 PM

Throwing your glove at the ball is against the rules (two bases IIRC). Throwing your glove WITH THE BALL IN IT is risky but in this case ingenious.